1. Lesson 1 Introduction and the CAO
Leaving Cert Careers
Lesson 1 Introduction and the CAO

2. Presentation College Leaving Cert
Careers Guidance

3. What does the LC Careers program look like?

4. LC Careers Course Program
September - December
Lesson 1: Introduction and the CAO Process
Lesson 2: College Open Days
Lesson 3: Access Schemes HEAR and DARE
Lesson 4: Applying to study Abroad via UCAS and Eunicas
Lesson 5: RACE and HPAT (Medicine)
January - May
Lesson 6: Academic and Sports Scholarships
Lesson 7: Apprenticeships (ESB, EIR etc.)
Lesson 8: Post Leaving Certificate Courses (PLC)
Lesson 9: Language Exemption and Special Entrance Exams
Lesson 10: College Grants via SUSI

5. How, where and when will careers information be delivered to me?

6. Guidance – The Year Ahead
Your Careers Guidance Experience
1:1 Meetings
With your Counsellor
CAO
UCAS
Need To Know
Information
PLC
EUNICAS
Open Days
Careers Classes
In-house Careers and College Fairs
Apprenticeships
HEAR / DARE
HPAT
SUSI
Scholarships

7. What’s the point of another 1:1 appointment?

8. Guidance - The Year Ahead
1:1 Meetings with your Counsellor. Finding out about your needs and requirements.
CAO and CAO Handbook
Explained
Scholarships
Reasonable Accommodation
Grant Applicant
1:1 Meetings
With your Counsellor
Your Queries
HPAT
UCAS
HEAR / DARE
EUNICAS
Colleges and Courses

9. What is the CAO?

10. What is the CAO?
CAO stands for Central Applications Office (Galway City)
On and offline facility which manages all 3rd Level College
course Applications
To begin - You register your details and course choices in 2 lists
in order of preference (online in school or from home)
before January 20th (€25) or February 1st (€40)
2 Lists? One for Level 8 and one for Level 6/7 Courses
To finish - The CAO will then offer you one course from both lists
in August 2018

11. What are the need to know dates…..

12. Applying to 3rd Level Colleges via CAO
Guidance - CAO
The CAO Application Process: The Dates
4th Nov CAO Opens
20th Jan €25 Fee rises to €40
Applying to 3rd Level Colleges via CAO
1st Feb Application Closes
5th May Change of Mind Facility reopens. (Free)
5.15pm 1st July CAO Change of Mind Facility Closes.

13. Applying to 3rd Level Colleges via CAO
Guidance - CAO
Date Summary
Register and enter course choices online
between November and 5.15pm 1st February
Applying to 3rd Level Colleges via CAO
…wait until…
5th of May when you can change your mind up until 5.15pm 1st July!
….wait until…22nd August for your offer…accept within 1 week.

14. The 2 lists we can apply for?

15. Applying to 3rd Level Colleges via CAO
Guidance - CAO
The CAO Application Process: What am I applying for?
Level Year Certificates ~ Institutes of Technology
Level Year Ordinary Degrees ~ Institutes of Technology
Applying to 3rd Level Colleges via CAO
Level /4/5 Year Honours Degrees ~ Institutes of Technology and Universities
Your CAO Application will have 2 separate lists. One for the 6/7’s and one for the 8’s.
If you meet with the Matriculation Requirements (i.e. rules particular to a given college i.e.
passes in 6 subjects with an amount of honours Grades) and the subject requirements
(i.e. H4 in the language Commerce International NUIG), CAO will then calculate your points
and add you to an Order of Merit Lists for the courses you applied for. Don’t apply for a course
unless you have the minimum entry requirements.
If you meet the course requirements, you will receive an offer for a course from both
the the 6/7 and the 8 list.
Note: Level 5 Post Leaving Cert Courses (PLC’s) direct application to colleges online in March.

16. How will I fill in the CAO form?

17. Applying to 3rd Level Colleges via CAO
Guidance - CAO
The CAO Application Process: How will I fill in the CAO Form?
Once you have registered your name and address, your guidance
counsellor will take you through and check your application
prior to 1st Feb.
Applying to 3rd Level Colleges via CAO
…basically, you will be listing your course in order of preference…what you want most
followed by the next best course etc….
This will be explained in more detail during your 1:1 meetings….

18. How are points assigned to courses?

19. Applying to 3rd Level Colleges via CAO
Guidance - CAO
The CAO Application Process: How does the CAO assign points to courses?
Applying to 3rd Level Colleges via CAO

20. Applying to 3rd Level Colleges via CAO
Guidance - CAO
The CAO Application Process: How does the CAO assign points to courses?
Applying to 3rd Level Colleges via CAO

21. Applying to 3rd Level Colleges via CAO
Guidance - CAO
The CAO Application Process: How does the CAO assign points to courses?
Applying to 3rd Level Colleges via CAO

22. What will I do if I am offered my 2nd choice?

23. Applying to 3rd Level Colleges via CAO
Guidance - CAO
The CAO Application Process: I was offered my 2nd choice course. What now?
You accept your offer (you can always cancel). You may be offered the
Course you wanted in subsequent rounds where others failed to take
up their offer etc.
Applying to 3rd Level Colleges via CAO
You will never be offered any courses you listed below the one they offer you.
They will dissolve into the ether!

24. Any Questions?